Catholic Culture Update for the week beginning October 13th, 2013
Quote to carry in your heart for the week.
“O sing to the Lord a new song” Psalm 98

October 13th is the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. “Once, before we were married, my future wife fell seriously ill. We lived in an underdeveloped country then, during a vicious war. Medicines for civilians were hard to come by and medical experts were few. I would have given anything to have been able to help cure her and, when she recovered, my gratitude knew no bounds. I think of this time in my own life when I hear the story of the ten lepers who were healed by Jesus. I can understand how the depths of despair were fed by such a severe illness, leading this foreigner, a Samaritan, to call upon the mercy of an unknown itinerant teacher. When the chips are down, we become open to anything. The work of Jesus was to make known the design of God for humanity. To do this, he preached to the crowds. But as Luke’s Gospel rightly tells us, Jesus also explained the love of God by his actions. Jesus lavished special attention upon the needs of the poor, especially those who were sick and had lost all hope. This love was even extended to Samaritans and ‘foreigners.’ We are asked to do the same if we desire to live lives of authentic holiness. Can the Christian communities of today truly preach (and authentically live) the Gospel if we pass by the lepers of today without responding to their needs?” Joseph Gunn, October Living with Christ, page 73. Compassionate God, help us to see the lepers of today and to respond to their needs. Spend some time pondering “Who are the lepers of today?”

October 14th is Thanksgiving Monday. Let us give thanks for the endless blessings that are ours because we live in a developed country like Canada. Gracious God, thank you for all you offer to us freely every day. Say thank you to someone you don’t usually say thank you to.

October 15th is the memorial of St. Teresa of Avila. “As a little girl in her parents’ rich home, Teresa and her brother Rodrigo loved to read the lives of the saints and martyrs. It seemed to them that the martyrs got to heaven an easy way. The two children set out secretly to go to a faraway land, where they hoped they would die for Christ. But, fortunately, they had not gotten far when they met an uncle. He took them back to their worried mother at once. Next the children decided to be hermits in the garden. This didn’t work out either. They could not get enough stones together to build their huts. St. Teresa herself wrote down these amusing stories of her childhood. The fact is that when she became a teenager she changed. Teresa read so many novels and foolish romances that she lost much of her love for prayer. She began to think more of dressing up to look pretty. But after she recovered from a bad illness, Teresa read a book about the great St. Jerome. Then and there, she made up her mind to become a bride of Christ. She entered the Carmelite Order in 1536.” Saints for Young Readers for Every Day vol. 2 pages 188-189. St. Teresa, inspire us to grow in courage and faithfulness to Jesus’ message of love. St. Teresa had a sense of humour. Once, her carriage broke down, and she was thrown outside into the rain and mud. “If this is how you treat your friends, no wonder you have so few!” she said to God.
Renew your friendship with God today. Talk to God like you talk to your friends.

October 16th is World Food Day. “Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition” will be the focus of World Food Day in 2013. The official World Food Day theme – announced at the start of every year by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – gives focus to World Food Day observances and helps increase understanding of problems and solutions in the drive to end hunger.” http://www.fao.org/getinvolved/worldfoodday/en/
Whatever you eat today, give thanks!

October 16th is the memorial of St. Marguerite d’Youville. “Marguerite was born in Quebec, Canada, on October 15, 1701. Her father died in 1708 and the family lived in poverty. Relatives paid her tuition at the Ursuline convent school in Quebec. Her two years at the boarding school prepared her to teach her younger brothers and sisters. Marguerite was gracious and friendly. She helped support her family by making and selling fine lace. In 1722, Marguerite married Francois d’Youville. It seemed like the marriage was going to be a truly happy one. But Francois’ real self came out as the months passed. He was more interested in making and spending money than in being with his family. He left Marguerite alone with their children and did not take care of them. Francois died quite suddenly in 1730 after eight years of marriage. He left Marguerite with large debts to pay. A kind priest named Father de Lescoat gave her courage. He assured her that she was loved by God and that soon she would begin a great work for him. Marguerite took in a blind, homeless woman on November 21, 1737. This marks the beginning of a marvelous work of caring for the sick poor in infirmaries and then actual hospitals. She began a community of sisters who became known as the “Grey Nuns,” because of their religious habit was grey. The sisters took over the general hospital in Montreal. It was run-down and very much in debt. People laughed at the sisters. It was hard to believe they would be able to succeed at such a difficult task. But Mother d’Youville and her sisters did not lose heart. They worked, and built, and fixed. Above all, they welcomed everyone in need. No one was too poor or too sick to come to their hospital.” Saints for Young Readers for Every Day vol. 2 pages 312-313 When we face difficulties, St. Marguerite encourage us to take heart and trust in God’s providence. Work hard today to do what is required of you, and try to do it with a smile.

October 18th is the memorial of St. Luke, the evangelist. “It is generally believed that Luke was a gentile doctor. He was a good, kind man who came to know the Lord from the great apostle Paul. After he had become a Christian, he sometimes travelled with Paul. Luke was a great help to him in spreading the faith. The Bible calls Luke “the beloved physician.” St. Luke is the author of two books in the Bible: the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Although he did not meet Jesus while the Lord was on this earth, he wanted to write about him for new converts. So he talked to those who had known Jesus. He wrote down all that they had seen the Lord do and heard him say. It is Luke who tells us some of the best-known stories of Jesus. Luke tells us of the story of the first Christmas.” Saints for Young Readers for Every Day vol. 2 pages 193-194 St. Luke help us to come to know Jesus through the stories of your Gospel. Put a bandaid on a finger to be reminded today of St. Luke, the beloved physician. Try to bring healing to every situation you meet today.

Serving in the Light of Christ – a quote for the week
“Direct your heart to the Lord, and serve him only” 1 Sam 7:4

Catholic Graduate Expectations – A Responsible Citizen who…
respects and understands the history, cultural heritage and pluralism of today’s contemporary society. This is an ideal expectation because we often need to have lived beyond high school graduation to understand history. However, we plant seeds of respect for history, cultural heritage and pluralism that will grow in our students beyond graduation. The best lessons will be the ones we show with our actions and words. Contemporary society is evolving daily to be a pluralistic experience and our students will be better able to negotiate and live peacefully if they have a foundation of respect and understanding.

Equity and Inclusive Education – The Power of Targeted Interventions
“Gender To achieve gender equity, it is important for teachers to reflect on their interactions with their male and female students in order to determine if indeed they treat them differently. Do they have the same high expectations for males and females? Do they encourage them equally to engage in reading, writing, science, the arts, mathematics, and technology? Do they have the same expectations regarding behavior and participation in classroom discussions, competitions, and activities? Research has shown that it is not uncommon for teachers to have varying expectations for male and female students and treat them differently based on gender (Myhill, Debra and Jones, Susan, 2006).”
Breaking Barriers: Excellence and Equity for All page 128-129

A Teaching from the Catholic Book of Days
“ELEVEN DAYS THAT NEVER CAME
We go back to 1582. This day [October 14th] that year was the last for the Julian Calendar, the calendar named from Julius Caesar by which the world had lived since 46 B.C.E. That calendar was so imprecise that by the sixteenth century the calendar year was running some eleven days behind the sun, throwing everything out of kilter in the ecclesiastical as well as the secular spheres. Several councils of the church, include Trent in its last session in 1563, urged action to correct matters, but the problem seemed to defy solution – that is, until ten years after Trent when three astronomers commissioned by Gregory XIII – (Lillus, Clavius and Chaconius) – devised a solution. The calendar would be jumped ahead by eleven days from October 4, 1582, to October 15, 1582, and leap years would be introduced into future calendars. The key was the leap-year innovation, for except for thirty-five seconds it offset the difference between the calendar year (365 days) and the astronomical year (365.25 days). Those thirty-five seconds don’t count for much; scientists note that it will take about thirty-five centuries for the difference to amount to one day. The new calendar took Gregory’s name, of course, and it’s known to this day as the Gregorian Calendar. However, countries divided along denominational lines in accepting the new calendar, Catholic countries adopting it instantly and countries of the Reformation rejecting it. Inevitably, enormous confusion resulted, especially in Germany, divided as it was between Roman Catholicism and Lutheranism. Nor would it be soon before the calendar was universally accepted. England and the American colonies did not accept the loss of their eleven days until 1752. And Orthodox churches still follow the Julian calendar. The last of the national holdouts was Russia, which waited until the last century was a couple decades old before changing over. Thus for Russia the historical paradox: Their “October” Revolution actually took place in November.”+John Deedy

28 Different Ways to Pray
“As Jesus taught us by His word and example, daily prayer is essential for all Christians. Our individual prayer life follows the rhythm of our daily life. ……Way #24 Pilgrimage as Prayer
Most Catholics are familiar with at least the outline of the Lourdes story. …Among the requests that the lady made of Bernadette was: “Tell the people to come here in pilgrimage.” And so they have, in ever-increasing numbers (more than six million a year at this writing). The very coming in pilgrimage itself carries a powerful message. As Fr. John Lochran, the longtime chaplain to English-speaking pilgrims in Lourdes, has written: The word pilgrimage as used by Mary in the local dialect of Bernadette’s time means exactly this: to move outside our own secure, familiar place to meet with others. Mary does not just mean pilgrimage as moving from one place to another place. It is above all an invitation to meet not just others but Another. To follow a deeper movement of the spirit, leaving behind our old usual ways of thinking and acting to come to a personal healing encounter with the Lord.” And so the pilgrims come, travelling light (as Jesus told his disciples to do), open to hearing and experiencing something new. They have been willing to leave their comfort zone, exposing themselves to surprises, unfamiliar surroundings, perhaps even disappointments. They do it for themselves to answer the call to Our Lady. They also do it to accompany fellow pilgrims who are poor and sick – to make the pilgrimage possible for them. And they come in a spirit of prayer.” Paulist Press page 127.

Twenty-first Century Education
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=F9FC01NU&utm_source > A Father’s Love > Inspirational Video – 3.03 min.
It can be impossible to truly comprehend just how deep the Father’s love for us is, but every now and then, a great reminder will come along to allow us to catch a glimpse. This video paints a perfect picture of His unconditional love and grace for us. Grab the tissues–this video will touch you deeply. Share this powerful video with someone you love that needs to hear this message. This video is from a Thailand. Intermediate/Senior/Adult video

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=KKWK67NX&utm_source > Wrong Worship > Inspirational Video – 3.20 min
This will really get you thinking about how we worship. When we worship God, do we really mean it? This video will encourage you to examine your heart when you approach God in worship each week and to continually pray to draw near to Him. Listen carefully to the words you are hearing to get the point of the video. Junior/Intermediate/Senior/Adult video

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=F9E0JJNU&utm_source > Trust Me > Inspirational Video – 2.21 min
Have you ever struggled with trusting Jesus? Human nature often keeps us from the very thing that will help us trust Him more. Junior/Intermediate/Senior/Adult

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=WDPY6PNX&utm_source > Thanksgiving Glass > Inspirational Video – 2.26 min
A video illustration that will make you think about true thankfulness and worship before God.

www.CARFLEO.org > best kept secret for religious education teachers of every grade

130 Fun Facts from God’s Wonder-Filled WORLD by Bernadette McCarver Snyder
“A Leaf Is a Leaf – Or Is It?
Did you ever notice a leaf, really notice it? Do you think all leaves are alike? Look again. God made leaves in lots of different shapes – fan-shaped, arrow-shaped, comb-shaped, heart-shaped, and lots more. People notice the bright, pretty flowers, but sometimes they don’t notice the leaves that are AROUND those flowers. Start to LOOK at leaves and see how many different shapes of leaves you can find. You might be surprised. If God took all that trouble to make leaves, just think how much trouble he took to make people in different shapes – tall, short, chubby, skinny, dark, light, with black or brown or yellow or red hair, with blue or green or brown eyes. Just think how much trouble God took to make YOU! That’s why he likes you so much and wants to be your friend.” Page 49

WHAT’S YOUR CATHOLIC IQ?
CATHOLIC JEOPARDY – Who says teaching religion can’t be fun? RTJ’s Creative Catechist > September 2013
Book of Exodus
For 200 points – The meaning of “Exodus”
What is “departure’?
For 400 points – The mountain of God where an angel appeared to Moses
What is “Horeb”?
For 600 points – Moses’ brother who assisted him in the journey
Who is Aaron?
For 800 points – The Jewish festival that thanks God for the produce of the land
What is the Feast of Booths or Festival of Tabernacles?
For 1000 points – The portable box that housed the tablets of the Law
What is the Ark of the Covenant?

Titles for Jesus
For 200 points – Affirms the deity of Christ
For 400 points – Literally means “God with us”
For 600 points – Jesus assures us that he will protect us and give his life for us
For 800 points – Jesus nourishes us and sustains eternal life
For 1000 points – Jesus calls himself this so his followers will not walk in darkness

Bonus question – Which person of the Holy Trinity gives us gifts and guides us to truth?

Weird Facts – how many people will read this far down…? Are you one who will?
“The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.” Huh! 35 Weird Facts You Never Heard Of

Image: The Dream of St. Joseph | Anton Raphael Mengs Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary Saint of the Day for March 19 (? – ?) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODMar19.mp3 Saint Joseph’s Story The Bible pays Joseph the highest compliment: he was a “just” man. The quality meant a lot more than faithfulness in paying debts. When the […]